Txwelder

Looking to design and build a plow/harrow type implement for my small garden tractor (17hp). Been having enough rain to turn some dirt over and plant grass and I dont have a tiller, plus I like designing and building. Any ideas on the best way to do this without any rototiller parts? I really just want to get about 3-4 inches deep, enough to get the seed down and then drag over it to cover. Thanks in advance.

Totallyrad

Harrow is easy, railroad spikes and an angle iron frame. I'd probably opt for an ATV disc setup.

nkennedy

I don't know what model tractor you have, but most lawn tractors don't have enough weight to produce traction to haul much.

pulltilbroke

I can sink a 10 inch plow as far as it will go and I dont have any trouble pullin it through the ground

Txwelder what kind of tractor you got

Txwelder

Well, it isnt much, but its mine. 17hp Toro. Just need to get the ground broke up enough to get some seed down. What do yall think? I can air the tires down, put chains on em and get some sled weights for the front!

pulltilbroke

Yea toss some weights on it and some tractor tires it ought to pull
If you were closer I'd let you borrow some weights and tires

17 hp Briggs,Kohler,or what ?

Txwelder

Its a B&S

brainfade

Yup, 17 HP is more than enough to explode the tranny on most lawn tractors if you can get it all to the ground. Head over to your local tractor place and pick up a set of agricultural tires in the same size as the turf tires that are on there now, might run $40.00 each. Throw some wheel weights on it (old brake rotors are a cheap way to do this) and it'll drag most anything you want.

As far as planting grass, you really only want to get in a couple inches deep, which can be done with a small disk set up or (cheap again) by welding a row of bolts to a piece of angle and making a little frame to pull it with. If you do this, make a bracket that will accept a couple concrete blocks for ballast so that it will dig. 4 feet wide is about right for a garden tractor. After the seed is down, drag a piece of chainlink fence over it a couple times to mix the seed into the soil.

Seriously though, be careful with how much power you put through the tranny, most lawn tractors are designed to slip a tire long before they reach anything like full power. I've personally trashed four or five of the aluminum Peerless 4 speeds doing this kind of stuff.

Txwelder

I had to pull a 2500 lb chipper/shredder this last weekend with the lawn tractor because my truck wouldnt fit through the gate. I would think if it got around with that thing it should be able to dig up 3" of wet ground. I will need the traction and the tires are a good idea.